Q&A With Dana Lenko of Lenko Boutique

Broadsheet: What are you wearing?
Dana Lenko: I am wearing many, many layers because it’s is so cold today. I’m like a velvet and wool pass the parcel.

What makes Melbourne special?
It’s a big small town. There's a high ratio of wonderful people and it can be as loud or quiet as you want it to be. There are always people ready to collaborate on a creative project or just go on an adventure.

What annoys you about the city?
The great divide of north and south. People need to cross the river more and explore and love each other. Or we need to invent teleporters. Or all move to Delfin.

Where do you live?
I live southside

Why?
Good question! I spend most of my time on the other end of town, but I like all the crazy foods. I like the beach. I love my apartment. I love the view over the treetops of the city and the cats chasing birds across the roof next door. I don’t get to spend much time at home so when I do it's like a pause in the noise of the week.

How does Melbourne inspire you?
It seems to me that Melbourne is open to fashion and creative expression. When people find out you're doing something, they want to get involved. There are a lot of beautiful people with great ideas. There are always a handful of great art exhibitions on to inspire you and openings to meet like-minded people. The weather also teaches you to be adaptable, to be ready for sudden changes and to design for all seasons. My friends are all crazy and sitting talking to them late at night about ridiculous things is often the start of many ideas.

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What is your favourite drink?
I'm not much of a drinker, so recently I discovered a bit late in life what a Black Russian is. Wow that's a tasty, sweet drink. It's what I imagine Gene Wilder is sipping in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory out of that petal cup. Feels like I misspent my youth on Milo instead of these babies! Failing that, a nice G&T with cucumber at Hell's Kitchen is a lovely way to end a busy week.

What are you reading?
I'm reading a few books at once, and re-reading a few more while I wait for my book deliveries in the mail. At the moment I'm reading a graphic novel series called Ex Machina about the Mayor of New York who can talk to machines. I'm also reading a huge brick of a book by Neal Stephenson called Quicksilver and when that gets too heavy for my little wrists I like to read zines from Sticky.

What's on your iPod?
There’s not much of my waking day that I'm not listening to music so there’s a big list of favourites, and that would be very boring for everyone. I am lucky to have [recently] gotten my hands on some unreleased tracks from Bluejuice’s upcoming album, which are super fun and they are about the best guys on the planet. Owl Eyes’ EP is a winner too. We are doing a shoot together next week and I’m worried I might absently start singing in front of her – awkward! I also download the BIRP [Blalock’s Indie/Rock Playlist] playlist every month - they have some amazing treasures in there. Of the last batch I'm still really enjoying Oregon Bike Trails, Highschool Lover because it makes me feel like I’m at a party.

What's your favourite thing to do in Melbourne?
I studied filmmaking at uni so I'm still very into watching films and luckily most of Melbourne is too. The upcoming MIFF [Melbourne International Film Festival] is always a fun excuse to eat lots of choc tops. I entered a short film this year so fingers crossed it gets shown and no one boos or throws tomatoes.